IS releases video it says shows the beheading of Steven Sotloff

Wednesday, September 03, 2014 - 01:43

The Sotloffs are closeted inside their Miami home, following the release of Islamic State video purporting to show the execution by beheading of journalist Steven Sotloff by a masked Islamic State fighter. Gavino Garay reports.

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*****GRAPHIC IMAGES******
*****REUTERS CANNOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE CONTENT OF THIS VIDEO*******
Steven Sotloff had been held captive by Islamic State militants since August 2013.
Addressing U.S. President Barack Obama, these according to Islamic State's latest video, are his last words.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. JOURNALIST STEVEN SOTLOFF SAYING:
"Your foreign policy of intervention in Iraq was supposed to be for the preservation of American lives and interests. So why is it that I am having to pay the price of your interference with my life?"
The video then purports to show Sotloff's beheading… and another message for the White House.
"You, Obama, have yet again, through your actions, killed yet another American citizen. So just as your missiles continue to strike our people, our knife will continue to strike the necks of your people."
Moments later there's a warning that another captive, British national David Haines could meet the same fate. The video echoes one the group put out weeks earlier after executing American James Foley. In that video, they warned that Sotloff's life was in danger prompting this plea from his mother Shirley.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) SHIRLEY SOTLOFF, THE MOTHER OF HOSTAGE STEVEN SOTLOFF, SAYING:
"I ask you to please release my child. As a mother, I ask your justice to be merciful and not punish my son for matters he has no control over. I ask you to use your authority to spare his life."
But the plea was not enough.
Shirley Sotloff now remains with her family, inside their Miami home… coming to grips with the fate of their son.

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